Famous Baiyer Zoo to reopen with Rare Animals and its popular Bird Sanctuary

Story by PEARSON KOLO – Mt. Hagen
THE once popular Baiyer Zoo in the Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea will soon introduce new and rare animals including different species of birds once maintenance work is completed.
The chairman for Tourism and Hospitality for Baiyer LLG and Councillor Paraka Mendaki said he would start collecting rare animals to be put in their new home for tourists and the general public to visit.

The road to Baiyer Lumusa. Baiyer River Zoo is the most famous in the 1970s. Photo: Peter Kinjap, 2014.

Mr. Mendaki said the re-opening of the zoo will be of great benefit to the people of Mul Baiyer and Lumusa as the zoo will house animals that will attract tourists both locally and internationally. Mr. Mendaki said the Baiyer Zoo management is also calling on the public to bring rare animals in. “The Baiyer LLG and the zoo management will get these animals and put them in the zoo for people to see. Many of the animals ran off or were released into the wild when the zoo closed,” he said.
The undisputed Supan Councillor for 40 years said he will be putting a submission before the Baiyer LLG, the office of the local MP and the Provincial Government seeking funds to purchase the rare animals.

Western Highlands and Enga Cultures. Baiyer River is so close to Enga Province. Picture taken in 2012.

“We will put many rare animals and birds in the zoo as soon as possible so that the standard and status of the zoo can be attractive as it was in the past.” The upgrading and maintenance work at Baiyer Zoo is almost complete after state ministers and MPs visited it early this year and allocated funding for it to be maintained and re-opened. The Baiyer Zoo Bird Sanctuary was a major tourist attraction in Papua New Guinea in the 1970s but was closed due to mismanagement.
*Pearson Kolo is a freelance journalist based in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.

Engan women in traditional Sili Moli singsing attire.

 Baiyer River Wildlife Sanctuary (Some basic FACTS)

In the Western Highlands, the Baiyer River Wildlife Sanctuary represents a higher altitude ecosystem.  Located 34 miles (55km) north of Mount Hagen, the park is a habitat for a number of interesting mammals such as tree kangaroos, possums various species of birds to watch.

The beautiful Usano creek in Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province. Southern shares border with Western Highlands. Photo taken in 2013.

Baiyer River offers hiking trails that can either be tackled independently or as part of a guided trip.  The hiking trails lead along ridges that not only give you a chance to check out wildlife but also the scenic vistas of the surrounding terrain. Rough water drifting is possible for adventure lovers with escorted tour guides along the Baiyer River.

The Wafi Fall also know as Beafer Fall is in Kutubu, Southern Highlands. Western Highlands shares a border with Southern Highlands. Photo taken in 2013.

Bird Watching and Exotic Tours packages for Baiyer Zoo

For bird watching, Baiyer River Rough Water drifting and exotic tours to the Baiyer Zoo and news update of the new-look Baiyer Zoo, please contact us via email at: howarig4@gmail.com

Tambul men proudly marching through the streets of University of Technology. Photo taken in 2014.

We are super excited to talk to you if you are coming. Welcome to the highlands of Papua New Guinea, an exotic country for exotic experiences! There is more to experience than just a mere visit. The PNG highlands is pristine and exotic to discover. It is described as one of the last frontier on earth to visit.

Island of dense Forest offers dwelling of Bird of Paradise

By Norman John Puk

The Island of dense forest offers the best natural habituate for Bird of Paradise in the Baiyer River Area.  The renowned Bird sanctuary in the country was fortunate to be covered with thick forest to keep the rare species of Bird of Paradise breeding and multiplying in numbers. The Bird of Paradise lives in the former zoo for years provided the best virgin forest. The Ukuni tribe around the vicinity of the Baiyer Zoo were forbidden to cut any tree or kill any animals by their village elders. The conservation of the rare species of Reggiana Bird of Paradise and the site allows the reviving of the famous zoo. The rehabilitation phase is currently underway to bring back the Zoo to its former glory days.  The different species of Bird of Paradise were found to occupy the zoo among other wild animals. The site was abandoned for more than twenty years and it is covered with thick tropical rainforest. 

A Local from Ukuni Tribe walking through the Zoo

Mugka River passes through the fringes of the Zoo adds more into its natural features. The amazing and beautiful Baiyer Zoo will soon be frequented by tourists once rehabilitation is completed. Some of the old cages of different animals were still there to be seen. The wrecks were covered with crawling plants and provided an attractive environment for insects and birds.  

Mugka River passes through the Famous Baiyer Zoo

The Bird Sanctuary shortly be a tourism hotspot in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.

A recent visit by experts from Howarig Traders (Tourism e-marking agents) based in Mount Hagen had expressed sentiments of relief.  The team carried out site assessments and evaluation had satisfied with the progress of the rehabilitation program.

Tracks along the Bird Sanctuary

The Local Member of Parliament Honourable Koi Trappe has initiated the rehabilitation of the well-known bird Sanctuary by allocating funding from its District Support Grants.  The administration building of the site will soon be erected as foundation works were completed.  

The bird watching site is interestingly gaining facelift. Chic tracks were established by the locals through the jungle-island of Birds. The bridged that connect the zoo were half washed away by Mugka River during flooding. Locals managed to get over using the existing bridge believed to be built during the colonial times.

For more information regarding bird watching in Papua New Guinea contact the writer via email: howarigmedia@gmail.com or sms; (+675) 73668740.

Photo Credit: Niugini Exotic Tours